To Daniel Roberdeau

[dateline] Braintree Decr 9. 1777

[salute] My dear Sir

I have never found an Opportunity, of presenting my Respects to you, Since I left
York Town, till now. We had as prosperous, and pleasant a Journey, as bad Weather
and worse Roads would admit: But I had great Pleasure in observing the growing Confidence
of the People all along the Journey, in the Justice, Stability and Success of our
great and glorious Cause.

In this Part of the Continent We are very inquisitive after News, from the two grand
Armies, and interest ourselves much in the Fate of Philadelphia: but otherwise we
enjoy as much Tranquility, as if all the World were Quakers in Practice as well as
Principle.

Finances, Revenues, Taxes, employ all the Thoughts of the People here: indeed every
Thing else, is considered here as easy, and safe: But they find the Subject of American
Finances, an unfathomable Gulph.

I found the Same Complaints here as in York Town, nothing to be bought for Money,
all Business done by Barter. What shall be done in this Case?

Our only Remedies, are Taxation and Aeconomy. Taxes as large as the People of America
can possibly bare, even if they were better disposed than they are would not answer
the public demands, without an Aeconomy more severe than the Army, the People or their
Representatives in the several Assemblies or even in Congress seem at present to have
any Idea of.

Profusion, has been So long and So universally practiced, that it seems a Work of
great Difficulty, to put it out of Fashion, and to introduce Frugality in its Place:
But it must be done, or We cannot maintain an Army.

But I must change my Subject.

The Complaint of the Want of Secretaries and Clerks, before I left you, occasions
my proposing to the Bearer of this Letter, Mr. John Thaxter, to take a Ride to York
Town. His Character and Qualifications are very good. And I should be greatly obliged
to you for your kind Patronage of him, as far as may be consistent with the public
Good. I have written to my Colleagues concerning him. Stranger as he is, he may be
puzzled to get Lodgings. If you can give him any Advice or Assistance, in procuring
them I shall esteem it an Additional Favour.

[salute] Mrs. Adams, joins with me, in most respectfull Compliments to you Mrs. Clymer, Miss
Betsy,1 and the whole Family. I am